No. 07-00-623/2016-02   Date: 12.5.2017.

OPINION

Opinion was issued in proceeding upon complaint filed by J.B. and J.M., lawyers from B. against lawyer S.Š. from B. because of discrimination on grounds of sex. It was stated in complaint that on Bar Association of B. assembly held on 24 September 2016, S.Š. made a series of offensive and belittling comments addressed to lawyers who wanted to speak. Among other things, following comments were stated: “I will become a woman so that I could fight”, “Do you want to rape us here”, “I cannot give you what you want” etc. In a statement of lawyer S.Š. it was stated that there were no expressions in the complaint that would present insult and belittling of any female lawyers, including lawyers who submitted complaint and that the sentences that he spoken have no relation with gender equality. After the proceeding was completed and evidences presented, it was determined that specified statements made by lawyer S.Š. on Bar Association of B. assembly held on 24 September 2016, when he was presiding, present harassment and humiliating actions aimed, or is, violation of complainants dignity on grounds of their personal characteristic – sex. Therefore, Commissioner for the Protection of Equality issued an opinion that provisions of the Law on Prohibition of Discrimination were violated by specified statements, hence lawyer S.Š. was recommended to apologize to complainants on Bar Association of B. assembly because of discriminatory statements that he made on Bar Association of B. assembly held on 24 September 2016, and not to violate legal regulations on prohibition of discrimination within his regular business and activities.

Commissioner for the Protection of Equality

Brankica Janković

Complaint filed by J.V. and J.M. against S.Š. because of discrimination on grounds of sex in area of association work